When you have a media interview looming on the horizon, you want to do everything in your power to make sure you’re prepared to absolutely nail it. You’ll be practicing with mock interviews, going over key sound bites in your head, studying your notes, and working your butt off to get ready for your big moment. You’ll probably be sweating a little bit too. Preparing for an interview can make even the most seasoned spokesperson or executive a little nervous.

Wouldn’t things be a whole lot easier if you knew what questions the reporter was going to ask beforehand? It’d be like having all the questions and answers to the test before taking it!

That would be nice, but chances are, the reporter isn’t going to just voluntarily send them to you. Now, I know what you’re about to say, “Can’t I just ask the reporter for the questions ahead of time?”

I’ve had clients ask me this many times in the past. They want me to reach out to the reporter to find out what questions they plan on asking ahead of time, and if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times…this is a terrible idea.

What harm can be done by asking the reporter to give you the interview questions ahead of time?

Let me be perfectly blunt: it makes you look like an idiot.

Take a step back for a second, and ask yourself this question: Why am I being interviewed?

The reason you’re being interviewed is because you’re supposed to be an expert. The reporter assumes you’ll know what you’re talking about and that you’ll be able to handle any questions they throw at you.

By asking to know the questions ahead of time, you’re completely undermining your credibility. It sends a signal to the reporter that maybe you don’t know what you’re talking about and maybe you’re not the right person to interview.

Prepare all you can for your interview, but don’t ask for the questions ahead of time!

This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (http://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Download your free copy of 8 Shocking Secrets Press Release Distribution Firms Don’t Want You to Know here: http://www.ereleases.com/landing3.html